Lester Prairie School Board Minutes

November 15, 2004

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of District #424, Lester Prairie, McLeod County, Minnesota was held on November 15, 2004 in the school media center. Chairperson Fred Blaser called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Members present were Clerk Robert Carlson, Treasurer Robert Remer, Director Chester Hoernemann and Director Jeff Hecksel. Staff members present were Joe Miller, Superintendent, Pam Lukens, School Principal and Ron Erpenbach, Assistant Principal. Ryan Gueningsman of the Winsted-Lester Prairie-New Germany Herald Journal was present along with members of the public to include Kym DeBruckre and Jan Smith.

Vice-Chairman Hoernemann led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion made by Carlson, seconded by Hoernemann, to approve the consent agenda as presented, minutes of October 18, 2004 and bills in the amount of $81425.17 (2004-2005 bills). Motion carried with a unanimous vote.

Recognition of communications since the last meeting. The board members received no communications. The school administration received information from KDUZ Radio that Lester Prairie Public School will be focused from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on November 19.

In the “Good News Section,” congratulations was given to the fall sports teams for a successful season, and Bob Henning and the cast and crew of the fall play.

There was no open dialogue from the public.

Board reports followed.

Principal Pam Lukens informed the board that Spelling Bee will be on December 9, 95% of parents attended school conferences on the elementary side, 5th grade DARE graduation is November 23, the elementary concert will be on December 2 at 7:30 p.m. and the High School concert will be on December 13 at 7:30 p.m. The ASAVAB testing for juniors was completed on November 10.

Superintendent Joe Miller informed the board the City Council will be having a fee structure meeting on December 6. He also informed the board that all his superintendent paperwork is complete.

Assistant Principal Erpenbach informed the board that 50% of parents attended conferences on the high school side. JMC (computer grading) training is complete and staff has used it to enter grades. The staff is starting to place the new standards in alignment to the MCA tests. All winter sports have started and everything is going well.

In old business, Superintendent Joe Miller gave a report on the status of the roof repair project. He informed the board the project is complete and everyone has been paid.

Under school finances, the revised 2004-2005 budget was discussed. Superintendent Miller informed the board an audit presentation will be December 20.

Under school facilities, Superintendent Miller informed the board that a plan needs to be prepared for phase 2 of the roofing project with TSP. Motion made by Hoernemann, seconded by Blaser to prepare a plan for phase 2 of the roofing project with TSP. Motion carried with a unanimous vote.

There were no transportation issues to discuss.

Under curriculum and administration. Superintendent Miller gave a presentation on Aimes Video, Atomic Learning and Nettrekker. No action took place.

Under school board reports, Director Hecksel said the Leadership Committee is changing their focus to become a Parent/Community Advisor Group. No further board reports were discussed.

Under new business, a motion was made by Carlson and seconded by Remer to approve a contract with Prairie Bus Services, Inc. for the years 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. Motion carried with a unanimous vote. Upcoming board meetings will include:

December 7, 2004 at 6:30 p.m.  Truth and Taxation Hearing and preview of presentation on facility improvement.

December 14, 2004 at 6:30 p.m.  Continuation of Truth and Taxation Hearing.

December 20, 2004 at 6:30 p.m.  Regular Meeting

Wrestling coach Marcus Halverson was present and asked the board to approve the new team name of Scorpions and the color of black and gold. Motion made by Remer, seconded by Hoernemann to approve the name and color of the wrestling team. Motion carried with a unanimous vote.

A discussion took place in regards to school board clerk duties. The item is tabled until the first regular board meeting in January.

The board agreed on agenda items for the next meeting.

The next regular school board meeting is set for December 20th at 6:30 p.m.